The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-05
LESSONS FROM THE PULPIT
DR.. Jenckes's Sermon on the Anniver-
sary of His Rectorship at st. Pauls.
lie Takes Strong Position in Favor Of Chris
tian Unitv-Dr. Jeffery's Tribute to
Professor L0omis-0ther Services.


Rev, II. y. JenCkeS Takes strong Ground for
the Unity OF All Protestant Christians.
Yesterday was the fourth anniversary Of DIR.
Jenckes's rectorship Of St Pauls Protestant
Episcopal Church IN this city. In the morning
discourse the Doctor referred to the joys and
sorrows of the four years past, and how they
drew them and him closer together; he remarked
upon the growing prosperity OF the parish, and,
suggesting that is better TO forecast the
future and provide for it than to exult over past
achievements tsince the accounts of such in our
church papers were often misleading and some
times positively untruel, he proposed to outline
the policy of St. Paui's parish in future, and had
chosen for the purpose the following text
Another parable spake he unto them: The king
dom of heaven is like unto leaven which woman
took and hid in three of meal till the whole
was ieavened." Matt xiii, 33.
Bread -making has always been ia u1iliar and
universal process, and this is Why Savior
usss il 10 illustrate not by the suggestion of
ITS urcleannesR. which likens it TO sin, but be-
cause of its tightening and expanding proper
ties. which make 1t a forcibie and lucid illus
tration and prophecy of His visible church upon
earth.
Now let MS inquire what is this church in
order that we may recognize il. What its
Rraces. so that We may love it What Is its
mission in the world, in order to promote it.
The Thirty niue Articles are a deliberate and
authoritative exposition of the faith of the
copal Church in the United States. The nine
teenth article says: 1.-THE visible Church OF
Christ 10 o congregation of faithful men. In the
which the pure word OF GOD Is preached. and
the sacramen:s be duly ministered according to
Christ's ordinance. IN all those things that of
necessity requisite 20 the same"
This comprehensive definition, and we
accept it as wholly satisfactory. It, in effect,
declares. what We rouudly assert. that wherever
upon the face of the earth is congregation OF
earnest Christian worshipsrs, with placed
over them to preach the gospel, and administer
the sscraments of baptism and the Lords sup-
per. there is found visible church of Christ"
This may include the churches of the East. as
the Greek, the Syriac, the Coptic, the Abvsin-
ian, ETC., and the Western churches. the
Romish. the Church of England, our own Prot
estant Episc opal Church,-and also, to the dis
satisfaction of some the Reformed Episcopal
Church, as il calls itself-and has perfect
right to in this free Republic, togsther with the
other Protestant churches. IS the MethodIsts,
Presbyt eriaus, Baptists, and Others. And this
has, until la ely, been the prevalent view OF
Protestant Episcopalians.
When joined church. over twenty-five
years ago, it was generally understood that we
were arrayed alongside the other Protestant
churches as in earnest antagonism OF the mon
srrous and exclusive claims of the Church of
Rome.
Ii is true church claimed that she was
Episcopal (although Rome stoutlv denied and
still denies thsl But she was also, and with
equal emphasis, Protestant against the errors
and corruptions of the medieval church And
not only was this earnestly maintained, but SO
churches resolutely held by very large and en-
inently respectable and devoted portion OF our
members And while attending a diocesan con-
veEtion twenty years ago. and remaining over
Sunday as was customary then. I was myself
assigned. by tpe bishop of the diocese, to preach
for the Baptist minister of the town. And
pray God that the same halcyon days OF comfy
towards our Protestant brethren may return to
For If they should. leading laymen
would not need 10 offer resolutions of inquiry
why the Episcopal Church in Indiana does not
hQnCreG
president once did here in this city.
The name of our beloved church not
lected willingly and at haphazard, but with
consummate wisdom and careful deliberations.
This name represented two distinct and equally
marked features of the reorganization. of equal
authority and import, and binding obligation.
and to elevate either at the others expense, or
TO the others damage, IS rank treason TO the
grand old church of our fathers, and culpable
failure fulfill in good faith. and with cheerful
and loyal acouiescence, as in duty bound, the
solemn compact which her double name has
EN- balned In the transparent amber or our hon
orable com promise.
And when it is fully realized that this first
part of our title is the sacred badge, the revered
banner of our indefeasible rights as Professionals.
and within the pale of the Episcopal Church, the
true significance of late assaults upon her by
her enemies becomes apparent, and declares
them--if not inimical to and out of sympathy
with enormous proportion or the progress,
the enlightenment. the civilization, the intel
lectuai and spiritual enlargement OF our age-at
least the enemy of the Protestant Episcopal
mi filii" Such recreant should be inexor-
ably arraigneG before the bar OF an enlightened
public opinion. and impaled upon the spit of an
indignant public scorn.
Now, what vigorously protest against Is this:
any attempt upon the part of any one to deny
my orthodoxy as a loyal churchman. or to ostra-
else my people here at st. Pauis Church
from full fellowship with the church. and full
particIpatlon in all that relates 20 her privileges.
all that threatens her honor and dignity. and all
that pertains to her Worship.
ia-l -smh 4Ns in
mum bers. in influence, in means IN conspicuous-
ness of location and in quality OF
mem oership, and We DO not soiclt
as favor, but demand right,
to place ourselves upon the liberal and popular
plane which have marked ont. and abreast OF
the enlightened aud progressive secular and
and uncompronsiugly opposed To the inert.
effete un-American system of a dead medieval
ism, long since buried IN merited oblivion
Now not only ia this liberal view towards
Their Protestant churches the proper view for
our American Episcopal Church: but, is also
that of the Church of England. our
mother The definition have quoted from our
article is taken, word for word. from
the same article of the Church of England,
which latter is strictly enforced mp
gent declaration. emanating from the King
himself, and requiring absolute conformity to
the literal and grammatical sense of the plain
censures, and the royal dispieas-
ure. And to this dav the kings and queens of
England are compelled to take oath, upon
their accession TO the crown. TO protect and de-
fend the Pr testant faith of the realm.
Not only is this Interpretation thus soiemnly
enioinsd by law. it is also upheld by enlight-
ened public opinion. and adopted in practice.
Agreeaby to it's spirit and it's letter. it has often
come about hat interchanges OF fraternal cour-
tesies and of professional pulpit exchanges have
the great Church of England having
and irretrievably put herself upon
record as q Protestant church, committed TO
views and teachings. and doctrinally
In sympathy with the large and respectable
bodies of dissenrers, who are our Baptsts,
Presbvterans. and the like.
Not only so, but when the reformation swept
like wild fire over al Europe. and burned out the
,orruptions superstitions and other trash of
medieval times from the English and CONT
rental reformed churches, they discovered that
what was left from the burning was Identical
With the teachings and practices OF apostolic
lines: of the tunes whose impulse was received
rom our Lord himself and publicly announced
shortly afterwards by the first dcumenicai